Bishop’s Statement on Supreme Court ICE Ruling

Beloved in Christ,

As a person of faith serving in a public role, I want to be thoughtful about when and how to speak. I speak about law or politics with real caution, but I believe it is completely within my call to speak with moral outrage when people’s rights are taken away. I lament the Supreme Court ruling on Monday, September 8, 2025 to allow Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to continue to sweep people off the street, based on how they look, where they congregate (such as a day laborer employment site) or what job they do (landscaping, carwash workers). This ruling is in response to a lawsuit filed against ICE in California, after ICE agents swept thousands of people in Los Angeles earlier this year. This is personal to me; these beloved children of God live in my hometown and are my siblings. It should be personal to all of us. The Body of Christ is injured and we need to work to heal it.

Let me be clear: I am not suggesting known criminals should be given free reign. But I am a lover of due process, based on my faith. God calls us to treat all people fairly, and that justice must prevail. Deuteronomy 27:19 literally says, “Cursed is anyone who deprives the alien (migrant) of justice.” God understands strangers and migrants are vulnerable and must be treated with respect and even hospitality. (Hebrews 13:2 – “Welcome the stranger, for some who have done this have entertained angels without knowing it.”)

Our United States constitution demands all people are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and general sweeps of people who look a certain way, or work at a certain job, is in direct violation of our national law and our God-given moral code. Racial profiling is repugnant and must be denounced.

I ask the question I ask in most of my statements on civic life: what can people of faith do? People of faith have a more complex task than simply denouncing wrong. After we call out injustice, Jesus demands we pray for the oppressor and love our enemies. So while I decry this action, I also ask people of faith to pray for our president, lawmakers and supreme court. To pray for ICE agents, detention center employees and people who work in all levels of law enforcement. As I call out those who deny the humanity of migrant workers, I must ensure I do not dehumanize those in power. This is challenging work, only possible with God’s help.

Contact your elected officials and let them know you want racial profiling to stop. The 5 Calls app is a great tool to learn about current legislative issues, with instructions on how to contact your government leaders. Our senators and congress members have websites with easy ways to contact them.

And finally, if you know people who work for DHS or ICE, do not vilify them. Strengthen your loving relationships with them. Help them keep a tender heart. If you know people who may be racially profiled, ask what they need, like food delivery or emotional support. The church has a role in civic life. Let us lean into this with courage and love.